Byron jennings



(No Model.)

B. J BNN'INGS. PRUNING SHBARS AND'PRUIT PIGKER.

No. 406,524. Patented July 9 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BYRON JENNINGS, OF SAN J OSE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO 0. WV. BREYFOGLE AND F. O. VOORHIES, OF SAME PLACE.

PRUNlNG-SHEARS AND FRUIT-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 406,524, dated July 9, I889.

Application filed March 13, 1889.

Serial No. 303,165. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BYRON JENNINGS, of the city of San Jos, county of Santa Clara, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Pruning- Shears and Fruit- Pickers; and I hereby declare the following to beafull, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to an improved prunin g-shears and fruit-picker. I

It consists of the usual fulcrumed opposing shear-blades, with the opening-spring and handles by which they may be operated, and in combination therewithIof an elastic rubber block having the ends only held in clamps,

which project over said ends and are formed upon and as a part of the shearlolade itself.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is a view of my device with the elastic block in place. Fig. 2 shows it removed from the holders.

A is the cutting-blade and B the opposing jaw of a pruningshears, the two being fulcrumed together, as shown at O, and having the handles D, by which they are closed upon each other, and the spring E, by which they are separated when releasedfrom pressure.

In order to employ this device as a picker, so that it may hold the stems or limbs after they have been out 01f, I use a thick rubber block F, one edge of which is curved so as to conform nearly in shape to the cutting-edge of the blade A. Upon the rear of the blade are formed two projecting strips or extensions G G, which are preferably made or stamped out with the blade itself, and they are afterward bent over the front of the blade so as to form clamps, within which the rubber block may be slipped and held firmly in place against the opposing pressure which comes upon it when a limb or stem is cut off. At the same time, as it is only held by its elasticity within these clamps, it may be easily slipped out at any time when it is desired to simply cut off limbs without holding them,

and slipped back into place without any difficulty.

I am aware that an elastic or rubber face has been used as a holder in connection with pruning-shears when employed for picking, and held in a rigid flange extending the whole length and secured by screws; but the especial advantage of my device is in the use of these open clamps near eachend of the rubber block, which, while holding it firmly enough in place against pressure, will allow it to be instantaneously removed and replaced when necessary, and by reason of the space between these clamps the central portion of the rubber block is allowed to spring or arch upwardly whenever a limb or stem of considerable size is to be cut. The freedom of the center portion of the rubber to move is an improved feature of the invention, since it enables it to accommodate itself to limbs of various sizes without being removed and with out readjustment. I I

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the blades of pruning-shears, of the rubberblock and the clamps extending over the ends of said block only, while the center is left free to move backward 7 5 from the edge of the blade when pressure is brought upon it, substantially as herein described.

2. In a pruning-shears, the blade A, having the extensions G upon its back, and curved over the front to form clamps near each end of the blade, in combination with a block of rubber fitted to slip beneath these clamps and having the central portion free from any holding device, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

. BYRON JENNINGS.

Witnesses:

S. H. NOURSE, H. 0. LEE. 

